Next refashion! More dress-making :)

I went through my closet, trying to find the perfect t-shirt to transform into the top of my next dress, and when I found this neglected, rarely worn black one, I knew this would work well as the top yoke for my paisley satin fabric, sourced from the LA Fashion District for the grand price of $1 per yard!

The shirt fabric wasn't too flimsy, which meant that it could support the skirt well, and it was a fitted shirt, which means that it would work well as the top of the dress. I did not like the 3/4 length sleeves, so those had to be cut off. After that, I marked the length of the sleeves and the start of my skirt with the help of safety pins while trying it on (be careful to not poke yourself :)).

Then I drafted my skirt, measuring my waist, dividing that by 4 to determine the top to cut off, measuring the minimum length that I wanted for the dress (I like my dresses to hide my knees), folded the fabric, and cut. There are several tutorials you can find on the interwebs  for making a hanky hem dress :) I would say it took me no more than an hour and a half from start to finish. I love the dress, and it got a lot of love when I shared it on my Facebook. 

I still have over one yard of this fabric left, and then 4 more dress fabrics from my LA Fashion district haul to work through, but I must say that I am quite happy with what I have accomplished so far! Let me know what you think about my dresss, I would love to hear!

Blue lace dress- done!!

One more finish from my LA Fashion District fabric haul! I stitched up this blue lace dress, fabric purchased for $1.99/ yd, pattern just worked off of an existing dress, plus the additional luxury of stitching it as per your own comfort. In my case, it meant a loose comfortable fit :) I am happy with how it turned out, and also happy that I'm paring down my fabric stash :)
On another note, my summer break started, which might mean a lot more crafting time, except I have lots of other plans to juggle, so keeping my fingers crossed!!
Hope you like my dress, I would love to read your comment!

SHARING FINISHES FROM MY LA FABRIC HAUL!

In April 2016, I went to the Los Angeles Fashion District and purchased quite a bit of fabric for $20, the video is posted here. My goal being to use up all my fabric by December 2016, which is when I go back to the Fashion District, I hurried up and got sewing!! 

I tackled the equations fabric first. I had purchased a half-yard of this drapery weight fabric (for the princely sum of $3), and ended up making 5 things from it!! I used up every tiny bit of that fabric! I made a lined tote bag, an envelope pillow, a zipper pouch, a boxy pouch and a coin purse. I think my daughter will be able to use all 5 items. And then I thought, why didn’t I buy more of this fabric?? I’m sure nerdy science-y type people would have loved to buy these items if I’d offered them in my Ebay store. Why oh why is hindsight always better than foresight :((

P.S. The boxy pouch tutorial is THE BEST! However, I made it with a 9" zipper, and not the best choice for this pouch...I think it looks better with the 12" one.

My second finish was this top made from a 50 cent remnant piece- all I did was cut out a neck, put bias tape around, sew the sides and hem- done in about 35 minutes! I love how it turned out!

I have also used up y blue lace fabric- I was able to get a dress for myself, and a t-shirt for my daughter – out of it. Not bad for $8 worth of fabric. Pics to follow later on!

What kinds of sewing projects are you working on?? Please share in the comments :)

LA Fashio District haul video, and a couple more finished projects.

We visited our daughters over my Spring break, and I had recently learned about LA's Fashio District, so of course, I had to make the trip. I did not do sufficient research, and ended up going on a Sunday, when it seems the stores with ready-made dresses are not open to the public. The fabric ones, however, were open, and so I had a great time shopping for fabric. I have posted my haul on youtube. Check it out!
Some recent finishes-

A carrot scarf and a zippered pouch looking like a candy bar! Both are inspired by Twinkie Chan's work- She is just so amazing!
It is finally beginning to warm up here in my part of the world- Minnesota- and I can't wait for it to be summer vacation- 8 more weeks to go!
Till next time, keeping on crafting, world :)